Multimedia transcoding method and system for mobile devices

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present invention include method and systems or processing multimedia data exchanged between mobile devices. Initially, a transmitting mobile device attempts to send multimedia data formatted in a primary format even though a receiving mobile device cannot process the data. The multimedia data in the primary format is then uploaded to a multimedia communication server where the multimedia data can be transcoded on demand into a secondary format that the receiving mobile device can indeed process. To track the multimedia data, the transmitting mobile device receives a multimedia identifier associated with the multimedia data uploaded to the multimedia communication server. Instead of sending the multimedia data, the transmitting mobile device forwards the multimedia identifier to the receiving mobile device allowing the receiving mobile device to demand transcoding the multimedia data into a secondary format on the server that the receiving mobile device is capable of receiving and processing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/732,182, filed Mar. 25, 2010 and titled“Synthetic Communication Network Method and System” by Jan Koum andBrian Acton, incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Aspects of the present invention relate to processing multimedia datafor use on mobile devices and more particularly to methods, systems, andcomputer program products that seamlessly transcode between differenttypes of multimedia data as used on various mobile device platforms.

Description of the Related Art

Mobile devices with multimedia data capabilities have created anexplosion in the creation and playback of sound, images and video.High-resolution cameras and sound recorders on these mobile devices haveenabled people to capture high quality images and videos of personalevents, news events and other events as they occur. For example, mobilephones are often used to take videos and pictures as they are compactand with a person wherever they may go. Because storage capacity onthese mobile devices is also plentiful, there is a no limit to theamount of multimedia data people can create and store.

Sharing multimedia data with others is also rapidly growing inpopularity as mobile devices incorporate increasingly high-speed dataconnections and powerful processors. With sophisticated editing softwareon the mobile device, users can quickly compile a variety of multimediadata into presentations suitable for friends or business. And almostinstantly, the user may send their multimedia presentations directly toother mobile phones thereby promoting further sharing and the exchangeof multimedia data on mobile devices. Indeed, users are sharing moremultimedia data directly using their mobile devices as it is no longernecessary to download data from mobile devices onto a computer and thenshare via email or photo sharing sites.

Despite these advances, a great deal of multimedia data remainsincompatible between different mobile device platforms due toincompatible formats or other variations. In the case of smartphones andother mobile phone devices, the multimedia data formats supported oneach device are often limited by the phone manufacturers specificationsand design choices. Consequently, if a mobile phone device receives avideo, images, audio or other multimedia data in an unsupported format,the device will not be able to decode and play it back to the user. Insome cases, the mobile phone device may not even allow storing data inan unsupported data format as the multimedia data may be flagged as apotential virus or other unwelcome data-risk.

Changing the multimedia encoders or decoders on the mobile device aftermanufacturer can be complex and difficult to do. The mobile devicemanufacturer expects the user to be satisfied with the multimediaencoders or decoders provided with the mobile device and generally doesnot encourage changing or adding to them. Even if additional encoders ordecoders are available, many users may not wish to install them if theyare not supported by the manufacturer or the installation process hasmany complicated steps and risks damaging firmware or other portionsmobile device.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a method, system, apparatus, and computerprogram product are provided for exchanging multimedia data between oneor more different mobile devices. Many times the multimedia data on onemobile device cannot be processed on another mobile device due todifferent formatting requirements, codes, decoders, or other driversbetween the two or more devices. Accordingly, a transmitting mobiledevice may identify that certain multimedia data formatted in theprimary format. To accommodate this dilemma, the transmitting mobiledevice uploads the multimedia data formatted in accordance with theprimary format to a multimedia communication server and in returnreceives a multimedia identifier. The multimedia data is associated withthe multimedia data uploaded to the multimedia communication server andcan be used to track the location of the multimedia data both on thetransmitting mobile device and many other receiving mobile devices.Instead of sending the actual multimedia data, the transmitting mobiledevice only has to forward the multimedia identifier to any receivingmobile device. Depending on compatibility requirements, the receivingmobile device uses the multimedia identifier to request transcoding themultimedia data into a secondary format on the multimedia communicationserver that the receiving mobile device can receive and process.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the multimediacommunication server receives a request to upload multimedia dataformatted in accordance with a primary format on the multimediacommunication server and make it available for access by one or morereceiving mobile devices. Access is provided to these receiving mobiledevices even though it is possible that some, if not all, will be unableto process the multimedia data in the primary format as it is stored andwill need to have the multimedia data transcoded, typically on demand,into a secondary format depending on the compatibility requirements ofthe receiving mobile device. Rather then sending to any receiving mobiledevices, the multimedia communication server obtains the multimedia dataand stores it ready to be transcoded from the primary format into one ofmore secondary formats as required by the compatibility requirements ofeach receiving mobile device. The multimedia communication generates andtransmits, usually in return to the transmitting mobile device, amultimedia identifier associated with the multimedia data stored in theprimary format and to be used by the receiving mobile devices toreference the location of the multimedia data on the server. When themultimedia communication server later receives the multimediaidentifier, the server transcodes the multimedia data formatted in theprimary format into a secondary format that the receiving mobile deviceproviding the multimedia identifier is capable of receiving andprocessing.

Embodiments of the present invention also include receiving a multimediaidentifier associated with the multimedia data stored on a multimediacommunication server in a primary format that cannot be processed by thereceiving mobile device. Upon receiving the multimedia identifier, thereceiving mobile device may respond by transmitting a downloadconfirmation indicating a secondary format for the multimedia data thatthe receiving mobile device can process. In some cases, the compatiblesecondary format is specified explicitly in the download confirmationsent back to the server while in other situations, the secondary formatfor the receiving mobile device is contained in a profile for thereceiving mobile device that the server can query and accesscompatibility information. Once the secondary format of the data is madeavailable on the multimedia communication server, the receiving mobiledevice receives the multimedia data transcoded from the primary formatthat the receiving mobile device cannot process into the secondaryformat that the receiving mobile device can process.

Aspects of the present invention provide a method and system ofregistering a phone device on a synthetic communication network. Oneimplementation receives a request to connect the phone device to asynthetic communication network that transmits messages over a datanetwork using one or more phone numbers from a voice network. Aspects ofthe present invention initially obtain a phone number and acorresponding country code presumed associated with the phone device tobe used for communications over the synthetic communication network.Based on the country code, the phone number is normalized to a standardformat that distinguishes the resulting normalized phone number frominternational phone numbers using the synthetic communication network.Before the phone device is registered, aspects of the present inventionverify an association between the normalized phone number and the phonedevice by sending a verification message addressed to the phone devicethat loops back and returns to the phone device. If the phone deviceconfirms the verification as authentic then an authorization from thesynthetic communication network allows the phone device to communicateover the synthetic communication network.

Yet another aspect of the present invention concerns normalizing a phonenumber to be used on a data network with phone numbers from one or moredifferent countries. In one implementation, the normalization operationreceives a default country code and phone number to be transformed intoa normalized phone number. Aspects of the present invention will add aninternational dialing prefix to the phone number when the defaultcountry code is included in the phone number. Alternatively, aspects ofthe present invention may add both an international dialing prefix and acountry code to the phone number when the phone number does not includethe international dialing prefix and the default country code.

Another aspect of the present invention concerns synchronizing phonenumber entries from a phone directory for a voice network with adirectory for members of a synthetic communication network. Oneimplementation receives a request to determine if a phone number usedfor a voice network can also receive communications over a syntheticcommunication network that transmits messages over a data network. Tomake the determination, the implementation obtains a normalized versionof the phone number from the entry in the phone directory that includesa country code and formatted consistent with phone numbers registered onthe synthetic communication network. A comparison then determines if anormalized phone number from an entry in the phone directory matches anormalized phone number registered with the synthetic communicationnetwork. When a match is found, aspects of the present inventionindicate that the phone number from the entry in the phone directory isregistered on the synthetic communication network and can be used totransmit messages over the synthetic communication network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is block diagram illustrating a communication system for carryingmultimedia data in accordance with implementations of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall operationsassociated with processing multimedia data in accordance withimplementations of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram of the operations used by a transmittingmobile device sending media data in a primary format in accordance withimplementations of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is flowchart diagram illustrating the operations associated withprocessing multimedia data on a multimedia communication server inaccordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram of the operations that a receiving mobiledevice uses to process multimedia data in accordance withimplementations of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a multimedia communication server apparatusused in implementations of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a duster of computersimplementing multimedia communication functions in accordance with theimplementations of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system used in one implementation forperforming the apparatus or methods of the present invention inaccordance with one implementation of the present invention.

Like numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate likeelements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will realize that these various embodimentsof the present invention are illustrative only and are not intended tobe limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention willreadily suggest themselves to such persons having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

In addition, for clarity purposes, not all of the routine features ofthe embodiments described herein are shown or described. One of ordinaryskill in the art would readily appreciate that in the development of anysuch actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisionsmay be required to achieve specific design objectives. These designobjectives will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming but wouldnevertheless be a routine engineering undertaking for those of ordinaryskill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Implementing one or more embodiments of the present invention, at leastone or more of the following advantages may be obtained. Multimedia datacan be transmitted between devices despite each device havingpotentially different multimedia formatting requirements. To send avideo or other multimedia data, a transmitting mobile device sends themultimedia data in a format convenient to the transmitting mobiledevice. The format of the multimedia data transmitted may or may not becompatible with the receiving mobile device. In the event the multimediaformat is not compatible with the receiving mobile device,implementations of the present invention transcode the multimedia datainto a suitable multimedia format the receiving device can readilyprocess.

Advantageously, the transmitting mobile device sends multimedia data ina single data format regardless whether the receiving mobile devices mayuse it immediately or only after it is transcoded into a preferredsecondary or alternate format. This allows the transmitting mobiledevice to send multimedia data a primary format to multiple receivingmobile devices without concern how or when the multimedia data may betranscoded into one or multiple different secondary formats. This alsoallows compatibility with future multimedia formats as implementationsof the present invention not only identify a primary format of themultimedia data being transmitted but also determine and transcode intothe secondary format of the data the receiving mobile device is capableof processing.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system 100 forcarrying multimedia data in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention. In one implementation, communication system 100 includes amultimedia communication server 102 that exchanges multimedia datathrough a data network 104 and a voice network 112 over a communicationbridge 110. Multimedia communication server 102 further has access tomobile device profiles 106 and multimedia storage 108 for storingmultimedia data in one or more different formats.

Mobile device profiles 106 may include specifications and capabilitiesfor different models of mobile devices supported by communication system100. For example, the specification for a mobile device may includedefault display resolution, display size, communication bandwidth, amobile identifier such as a phone number, internal memory and storagecapacity, multimedia data processing capabilities, default language,locale and other settings associated with particular model of the mobiledevice.

Mobile devices registered with multimedia communication server 102 mayfurther specify preferences and customizations in mobile device profiles106. Each registered mobile device may specify certain preferences inthe mobile device profiles 106 to be used with the mobile device. Forexample, a mobile device may be able to process multiple differentmultimedia formats however the user may prefer to see all videos inMPEG-4 or another preferred multimedia format. Customizations in mobiledevice profiles 106 also tracks variations in both hardware and softwarefor different releases or manufacturing runs of a mobile device. In someimplementations, hardware variations in a later manufactured model of amobile phone device may include a screen with a different resolution ordisplay aspect ratio.

Multimedia storage 108 includes storage devices, databases and systemsfor storing multimedia data in one or more different formats. In oneimplementation, multimedia storage 108 stores multimedia data in aprimary format associated with a transmitting mobile device. Thetransmitting mobile device sends the multimedia data in the primaryformat in the event the receiving mobile device is capable of processingthe multimedia data in same format. For example, the transmitting mobiledevice and receiving mobile device may both use the multimedia videoformat of MPEG-4 for recording, storing and sending videos.

If the receiving mobile device uses a secondary format, aspects of thepresent invention then transcodes the multimedia data from the primaryformat into the secondary format as appropriate for the particularreceiving mobile device. For example, multimedia communication servermay transcode multimedia data in a primary format from a transmittingmobile device to a secondary format that a receiving mobile device canprocess. Transcoding involves a digital-to-digital conversion of dataencoded in one format into another encoded digital format. In someimplementations, transcoding is usually done in two steps: first, themultimedia data in the primary format is decoded and converted to anintermediary format. Next, the multimedia data in the intermediaryformat is encoded and converted to the target or secondary format.

Once transcoded, the multimedia data in the secondary format is storedon multimedia storage 108 for the receiving mobile device as well asother mobile devices that might need the same secondary format.Accordingly, multimedia storage 108 is not limited to storing themultimedia data in one primary format or one secondary format but mayinclude multiple different formats of the multimedia data as needed bythe transmitting and receiving mobile devices.

In the example communication system 100 in FIG. 1, multimediacommunication server 102 exchanges the multimedia data over data network104 to one or more mobile devices associated with voice network 112. Inone implementation, data network 104 may include a combination of one ormore networks including the Internet or an intranet within a business orcompany. Communication bridge 110 facilitates connecting mobile deviceson voice network 112 to data network 104 and then to the Internet orintranet.

A wireless carrier providing voice network 112 facilitates the exchangeof voice communication among mobile devices in addition to the exchangeof multimedia data in accordance with the present invention. Each mobiledevice on voice network 112 is provisioned—typically by the wirelesscarrier with a phone number that operates as a mobile identifier.Implementations of the present invention use these mobile identifiers tohelp coordinate the exchange of multimedia data between mobile devicesand may use one or more different wireless protocols in voice network112. Wireless carriers implementing wireless protocols in voice network112 may include Global System for Mobile (GSM), Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) as well as many other derivatives and variants of theseprotocols.

In the exemplary voice network 112 in FIG. 1, mobile devices may includea smartphone 114, a conventional mobile phone 116 (also referred to s a“feature phone”), a tablet computer 118, a netbook 120 and a smartbook122. Each of the mobile devices on voice network 112 have a wirelessconnection to voice network 112 data network 104 and the Internetdirectly or over bridge 110. As previously described, each mobile deviceis provisioned with a mobile identifier—such as a phone number—thatidentifies each device and allows for the exchange of multimedia data aswell as voice communication between the mobile devices.

Generally, it is presumed that mobile devices used on voice network 112may have different hardware capabilities and software requirementsdepending on the different target markets. For example, smartphone 114,such as the iPhone® (iPhone is a trademark of Apple. Inc.), providesvoice communication and generally include one or more cores orprocessors for executing applications or “apps” that display images andvideos on a relatively large high resolution screen. Conventional mobilephone 116 display images and videos using a lower resolution display, aless powerful processor, less memory and lower in cost. In comparison, atablet computer 118 like the iPad® (iPad is a trademark of Apple. Inc.)generally has a large touch screen display used to manipulate data onthe tablet computer for gaming and reading. Netbook 120 has features ofa general purpose laptop computer with built-in wireless modems forconnecting to voice network 112 or other local area networks usingWi-Fi. Smartbooks 122 have features of a mobile phone device with lowerpower consuming processors and electronics but may also perform somegeneral computing functions. Further, mobile devices may be a mobilemusic and multimedia player device like an iPod® (iPod is a trademark ofApple. Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.) or Zune® (Zune is a trademark ofMicrosoft, of Redmond Wash.) provided the devices have some wirelessconnectivity options. Indeed, voice network 112 and data network 104 maysupport a variety of other mobile devices and thus the aforementionedmobile devices are not meant to be limiting in any way but illustrativeof the wide range of mobile devices to benefit from implementations ofthe present invention. Accordingly, references to a mobile device ormobile devices includes the aforementioned mobile devices as w as anyother mobile device provisioned with a mobile identifier such as a phonenumber and capable of implementing aspects of the present invention.

To exchange multimedia data, voice network 112 incorporates messagingservices through a data channel 126 portion of voice network 112. Mobiledevices registered on the voice network 112 use multimedia communicationclient 128 to manage the messaging and the exchange of multimedia datain accordance with the present invention. Multimedia client 128 executeson one or more of the mobile devices and interacts with multimediacommunication server 102 of the present invention. In oneimplementation, multimedia communication client 128 uses conventionalmessaging protocols such as SMS (short messaging service) and multimediamessaging service (MMS). SMS messages are used to communicateapproximately 128 to 160 characters between multimedia communicationclients 128 and multimedia communication server 102. Larger amounts ofdata including multimedia data may be transmitted using the MMSprotocol. The MMS protocol is an improvement over the limitations of theSMS text protocol as it allows mobile devices to exchange larger amountsof multimedia content over data channel 126 and voice network 112.

Instead of SMS or MMS messaging, an alternate implementation ofmultimedia communication client 128 may use messaging services providedthrough a synthetic communication network described in pending U.S.Application Ser. No. 12/732,182 assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention and filed Mar. 25, 2010 entitled “Synthetic CommunicationNetwork Method and System” incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes. The synthetic communication network bypasses data channel 126and creates a messaging service directly over data network 104. Forexample, the synthetic communication network may use XMPP or SIMPLEmessaging protocols for messages. In accordance with someimplementations, synthetic communication network may also send largertext and multimedia messages as the messages avoid data channel 126 andtherefore not constrained by a fixed character limit.

Mobile devices accessing data network 104 and messaging servicesprovided by the synthetic communication network rely upon the data planservices offered through a service provider of voice network 112. Themobile identifier used to identify each mobile device on the syntheticcommunication network is essentially the same as the phone numberprovisioned on voice network 112. Some implementations access datanetwork 104 and the Internet using data incorporating technologies suchas Enhanced Data Rates from GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal MobileTelephone Standard (UMTS), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) andEvolution Data Optimized (EVDO). Alternatively, mobile devices may alsoaccess directly access data network 104 and the Internet using otherwireless technologies such as WiMax, WiFi 802.11a/b/c/n/x or othersimilar protocols.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall operationsassociated with processing multimedia data in accordance with oneimplementation. This example schematic diagram includes a transmittingmobile device 202, multimedia data in a primary multimedia format 204, areceiving mobile device 206, multimedia data in a secondary format 222,a multimedia communication server 102, mobile device profiles 106,multimedia storage 108, and multimedia identifier 224.

In operation, transmitting mobile device 202 attempts to send multimediadata in primary format 204 to receiving mobile device 206. Instead ofsending directly to receiving mobile device 206, multimedia data inprimary format 204 is uploaded (208) to multimedia communication server102 over one or more networks. For example, transmitting mobile device202 may send multimedia data in primary format 204 over a voice network,a bridge to a data network and then to multimedia communication server102

Multimedia communication server 102 stores the multimedia data in theprimary format 204 on multimedia storage 108. To track the multimediadata, multimedia communication server 102 associates the multimedia datain primary format 204 with multimedia identifier 224. In someimplementations, multimedia identifier 224 can be a 128-bit valuecapable of individually identifying a specific multimedia data stored onmultimedia storage 108.

Next, multimedia communication server 102 downloads the multimediaidentifier 224 to the transmitting mobile device 202 (212). Transmittingmobile device 202 uses the multimedia identifier 224 to referencemultimedia data stored on multimedia storage 108 in primary format 204.Transmitting mobile device 202 may then send a message containing themultimedia identifier 224 (214) to the receiving mobile device 206. Forexample, the multimedia identifier 224 may be sent using SMS, MMS or amessage on the aforementioned synthetic network described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/732,182, entitled “Synthetic CommunicationNetwork Method and Systems”. The transmitting mobile device 202addresses the receiving mobile device 206 using a mobile identifier suchas a phone number. In one implementation, transmitting mobile device 202may further forward an HTTP or secure HTTP (i.e., HTTPS) linkreferencing the location of multimedia communication server 102 on theInternet in addition to multimedia identifier 224. Indeed while FIG. 2illustrates only one receiving mobile device 206, transmitting mobiledevice 202 may transmit multimedia identifier 224 and an HTTP or HTTPSlink to more than one receiving mobile device using a multicast orsimilar protocol if the multimedia data is to be distributed to multiplemobile devices.

To obtain the multimedia data, receiving mobile device 206 contactsmultimedia communication server 102 and requests the multimedia datareferenced by the multimedia identifier 224 (216). For example,receiving mobile device 206 may reference either an HTTP or HTTPS linkto first locate multimedia communication server 102 on the Internet andthen use multimedia identifier 224 to identify the multimedia datastored on, or associated with, the communication server 102.

Multimedia communication server 102 transcodes the multimedia data inthe primary format 204 into a secondary format (218) as appropriate foreach receiving mobile device 206. In one implementation, multimediacommunication server 102 may reference mobile device profiles 106 toidentify the secondary format used by the receiving mobile device 206.Once transcoded, receiving mobile device 206 receives the multimediadata in secondary format 222 (220) as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram of the operations used by a transmittingmobile device sending multimedia data formatted in accordance with aprimary format. Initially, a transmitting mobile device identifiesmultimedia data to be transmitted to a receiving mobile device. In oneimplementation, the transmitting mobile device specifies the receivingmobile device on a voice network using a phone number or other mobileidentifier associated with the receiving mobile device. In accordancewith one implementation, the receiving mobile device may not be able todecode and playback the multimedia data formatted in the primary format(302). For example, a video taken with a camera on a transmitting mobiledevice may be formatted in a video format such as MPEG-4 that thereceiving mobile device cannot decode or playback as it lacks the propercodec, software, or other drivers.

Instead of sending the multimedia data directly to the receiving mobiledevice, the transmitting mobile device uploads the multimedia data inthe primary format to a multimedia communication server (304). Forexample, the multimedia data in the primary format may be uploaded tothe multimedia communication server embedded thin or through an MMSmessage or other message type over the synthetic communication networkas previously described. The multimedia communication server stores themultimedia data in the primary format and also generates a multimediaidentifier for referencing the multimedia data in the primary format.Both the transmitting mobile device and the receiving mobile may use themultimedia identifier to reference the multimedia data in the primaryformat as it is stored on the multimedia communication server.

Accordingly, the transmitting mobile device then receives the multimediaidentifier associated with the multimedia data in the primary format(306). In some implementations, the multimedia communication serversends the multimedia identifier to the transmitting mobile device usinga messaging protocol and message, for example, such as an SMS textmessage, an MMS message, or as other type of message using theaforementioned synthetic network. Additional descriptive information anda thumbnail image associated with the multimedia data may also beprovided with this message to the transmitting mobile device, this canbe used to confirm indirectly that the multimedia communication serveras successfully received and processed the multimedia data. For example,a still image taken from a video and a title or caption associated withthe video contents may also be provided from the multimediacommunication server to the transmitting mobile device.

Next, the transmitting mobile device forwards the multimedia identifierassociated with the multimedia data to the receiving mobile device. Themultimedia identifier facilitates transcoding the multimedia data intosecondary format the receiving mobile device can process (308). Sincethe secondary format used by the receiving mobile device is typicallyunknown, the multimedia communication server defers performing thetranscoding until the multimedia data is requested. In someimplementations, the server transcodes the multimedia data from theprimary format into the secondary format when the receiving mobiledevice demands the multimedia data using the multimedia identifier. Inthis manner, implementations of the present invention offloadtranscoding of multimedia data from the primary format into thesecondary format into the “cloud” by way of the multimedia communicationserver. When the demand for the multimedia data does not explicitlyspecify the secondary format, multimedia communication server maydetermine the appropriate secondary format through a query of a mobiledevice profile associated with the receiving mobile device.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart diagram illustrates the operationsassociated with processing multimedia data on a multimedia communicationserver in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In thisexample, implementations of the present invention initially receive arequest to upload multimedia data formatted in accordance with a primaryformat (402). Typically, the multimedia data is in a primary format thatthe transmitting mobile device can process but the receiving mobiledevice is unable to process. For example, one or more receiving mobiledevices may not have the proper codecs or decoders to decode themultimedia data in the primary multimedia format, such as a videoformatted in MPEG-4 or other video format.

Next, the multimedia communication server obtains data corresponding tothe multimedia data in a primary format for storage on the multimediacommunication server (404). For example, the multimedia communicationserver may obtain the data for the multimedia data from the transmittingmobile from an MMS message, a streaming protocol, a file transferprotocol, a message over the aforementioned synthetic communicationnetwork or other data transfer methods. The multimedia communicationserver stores the multimedia data in the primary format and prepares fortranscoding the multimedia data into a one or more secondary formats ondemand as the requests from one or more receiving mobile devices aremade.

In one implementation, multimedia communication server may also receivemetadata with further details on the transmitting mobile device,receiving mobile devices, and the multimedia data. Metadata associatedwith the transmitting and receiving mobile devices may include a phonenumber or other mobile identifier, a display resolution, a display size,a make and model of the mobile device, and a multimedia format each ofthe mobile devices are capable of processing. In some implementations,metadata describing the mobile devices and multimedia data may beincluded in the multimedia data and sent directly to the multimediastorage server. Alternatively, some metadata may be stored in a databasesuch as mobile device profiles 106 in FIG. 1 and referenced using aphone number or other mobile identifier associated with either atransmitting or receiving mobile device.

Next, implementations of the present invention transmit a multimediaidentifier associated with the multimedia data stored in the primaryformat on the multimedia communication server (406). This multimediaidentifier is used by one ore receiving mobile devices to identify andrequest the multimedia content in the proper format with a value thatreferences a storage location on the multimedia communication server. Insome implementations, the value used for the multimedia identifier maybe randomly generated and cross-referenced with a storage location in alook-up table on the multimedia communication server. Alternatively, themultimedia identifier value may be combination of values that referencea specific storage device, a filesystem, and file in the filesystemassociated with the multimedia communication server. If multipleclusters of storage devices are used, the multimedia identifier valuemay also be constructed using a reference to the particular storagedevice cluster where the storage device is located.

Multimedia communication server may delay the process of transcodingbetween a primary format and a secondary format of the multimedia datauntil a receiving mobile device makes a request. Accordingly, multimediacommunication server receives a download confirmation when a receivingmobile device makes a request for the multimedia data in a secondaryformat (408). For example, the download confirmation may be sent by areceiving mobile device in response to the transmission of themultimedia identifier. The download confirmation requests the multimediadata in a secondary format that the receiving mobile device is able toprocess. To facilitate the request, the download confirmation mayinclude a phone number or other mobile identifier used to access amobile device profile of the receiving mobile device. Using this phonenumber, the multimedia communication server may access the correspondingmobile device profile and determine the multimedia data format preferredby the receiving mobile device. In turn, multimedia communicationservers may also notify the transmitting mobile device that themultimedia identifier as been successfully received by the receivingmobile device and the transcoding process has been initiated in thebackground.

Aspects of the present invention may then determine if the multimediadata had been previously transcoded into the secondary format used bythe receiving mobile device (410). In some cases, the multimediacommunication server has already transcoded the multimedia data foranother receiving mobile device and the transcoded multimedia data canbe reused. For example, a transmitting mobile device may send multimediadata to two or more receiving mobile devices that use the same secondaryformat for the multimedia data. In this case, the multimediacommunication server transcodes and stores the multimedia data into thesecondary format upon demand by the first receiving mobile device whichis then reused by the second receiving mobile device

Accordingly, if the multi media data is in the secondary format(410—Yes) then aspects of the present invention associate the previouslytranscoded multimedia data in the secondary format with at least onereceiving mobile device (412). In one implementation, the multimediacommunication server updates a database that cross references a phonenumber or other mobile identifier of the receiving mobile device withthe storage location of the multimedia data in the secondary format.

Next, the multimedia communication server sends the receiving mobiledevice the multimedia data transcoded into the secondary format thatreceiving mobile device can process (416). For example, the multimediacommunication server may send the multimedia data to the receivingmobile device as part of an MMS message or another type of message usingthe aforementioned synthetic communication network.

Alternatively, when the multimedia data is not available in thesecondary format (410—No) aspects of the present invention transcode themultimedia data formatted in the primary form at into the secondaryformat the receiving mobile device can process (414). In oneimplementation, the multimedia communication server is configured withmultimedia software and/or hardware to transcode the multimedia databetween the primary format and the secondary format. Once the multimediadata has been transcoded, implementations of the present invention sendthe transcoded multimedia data in the secondary format to the receivingmobile device that can be readily processed (416). For example, thereceiving mobile device may decode and playback a video in the secondaryformat displaying the images and broadcasting the corresponding sound.

FIG. 5 is flowchart diagram of the operations that a receiving mobiledevice uses to process multimedia data in accordance with the presentinvention. In one implementation, the receiving mobile device receives amultimedia identifier associated with multimedia data stored on amultimedia communication server (502). For example, the receiving mobiledevice may receive the multimedia identifier in an SMS text message, anMMS message or a message from the aforementioned synthetic communicationnetwork. Often, the multimedia identifies references multimedia datastored in a primary format that the receiving mobile device is notcapable of processing. As previously described, the receiving mobiledevice may lack the proper software and/or hardware with compatiblecodecs or decoders to process multimedia data such as a video encoded inMPEG-4.

In one implementation, the receiving mobile device uses the multimediaidentifier and selects to receive the multimedia data in a secondaryformat (504—Yes). For example, the receiving mobile device may select anHTTP link and multimedia identifier sent in an SMS text message to thereceiving mobile device.

Alternatively, the receiving mobile device may not select to receive themultimedia data (504—No). In some cases, the receiving mobile device mayreceive a multimedia identifier yet decide not to receive the associatedmultimedia data if the data is not wanted. If this occurs,implementations of the present invention on the receiving mobile devicedo not demand or request the multimedia data in the secondary format(506). Consequently, a multimedia communication server would also nottranscode the data into the secondary format compatible with thereceiving mobile device but instead leave the multimedia data in theprimary format or other existing formats.

Alternatively, one implementation transmits a download confirmation tothe multimedia storage server and thereby demands transcoding for atleast the receiving mobile device. Sending the download confirmationeffectively requests that the multimedia communication server download,and transcode as necessary, the multimedia data in the secondary formatto the receiving mobile device (508). One implementation of thisdownload confirmation may further include a mobile identifier for themobile device also used for referencing the mobile device's preferencesand settings stored in a database such as mobile device profiles 106 inFIG. 1. This information is useful to the multimedia communicationserver when transcoding from a primary format of the multimedia datainto a secondary format of the multimedia data beneficial to theprocessing on the receiving mobile device.

Next, the receiving mobile device receives the data corresponding to themultimedia data formatted in the secondary format. In oneimplementation, the multimedia communication server transcodes themultimedia data from the primary format the receiving mobile devicecannot process into the secondary format that the receiving mobiledevice can process (510). For example, the multimedia communicationserver may transcode a video originally formatted in a primary formatsuch as MPEG-4 into a secondary format used for video such an AVIformat.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a multimedia communication server 102apparatus used in one implementation for performing one or more methodsof the present invention. Server 102 may include a memory 602 to holdexecuting programs (typically random access memory (RAM) or writableread-only memory (ROM) such as a flash ROM), a multiport storageinterface 604, a processor 606 for executing instructions, a cache 608for holding codec, drivers, or other frequently used programs, a networkcommunication port 610 for data communication, a secondary storage 612with secondary storage controller for backup and high-availability, andinput/output (I/O) ports 614 all operatively coupled together over aninterconnect 616.

Multimedia communication server 102 may be implemented using a mainframecomputer, a cluster of computers, a personal computer or a serverappliance. In addition, multimedia communication server 102 can bepreprogrammed, for example, using field-programmable gate array (FPGA)technology, ROM or it can be programmed (and reprogrammed) by loading aprogram from a computer readable medium. For example, executableinstructions in memory 602 may also be loaded from a hard drive, athumb-drive, a DVD, a CD-ROM or other computer readable medium inpreparation for execution on processor 606. Also, multimediacommunication server 102 can also be implemented using one or morecustomized application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

In one implementation, processor 606 executes instructions in memory 602selected from one or more modules including a multimedia communicationclient module 618, multimedia processing module 620, messaging module622, mobile device registration module 624, multimedia transcodingmodule 626, and run-time module 628 that manages system resources usedwhen processing one or more of the above components on multimediacommunication server 102.

Multimedia communication client module 618 facilitates an exchange ofmultimedia data between a transmitting device and a receiving device inaccordance with aspects of the present invention. In one implementation,multimedia communication client module 618 is downloaded from multimediacommunication server 102 onto each respective transmitting and receivingmobile device. Alternatively, one or more instances of multimediacommunication client module 618 execute on multimedia communicationserver 102 in a “cloud” and are delivered to both transmitting andreceiving mobile devices as software as a service (SaaS).

On the transmitting mobile device, multimedia communication clientmodule 618 sends multimedia data from the transmitting mobile device toa receiving mobile device in accordance with the present invention.Another instance of multimedia communication client 618 associated withthe receiving mobile device receives and processes the multimedia datain accordance with the present invention.

In one implementation, multimedia processing module 620 receives andstores multimedia data on the multimedia communication server 102. Inaddition, multimedia processing module 620 generates a multimediaidentifier that references the location of the multimedia data on themultimedia communication server. Multimedia processing module 620 mayalso store metadata describing the multimedia content, the transmittingmobile device, the receiving mobile device or devices and any otherinformation that help with the delivery and processing of multimediacontent in accordance with the present invention.

Messaging module 622 processes messages for communicating with both thetransmitting mobile device, the receiving mobile device and othersystems used in accordance with the present invention. For example,messaging module may deliver messages using SMS, MMS, SIMPLE, XMPP andother protocols capable of delivering messages with text or multimedia,or both. In one implementation, messaging module 622 sends messages overa synthetic communication network described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/732,182, titled “Synthetic Communication Network Method andSystem”.

Mobile device registration module 624 gathers information on mobiledevices and creates corresponding mobile device profiles. Each mobiledevice profile includes details on the mobile device including apreferred format for multimedia data that the mobile device is capableof processing. Other information may further include the mobile devicescreen dimensions and resolution, sound reproduction capabilities,available memory on each mobile device, and other information relevantto processing multimedia data on the mobile device. These mobile deviceprofiles may be stored in a mobile device profiles database such asmobile device profiles 106 in FIG. 1.

Multimedia transcoding module 626 converts multimedia data from aprimary format into a secondary format in accordance withimplementations of the present invention. For example, the primaryformat and secondary format for video multimedia data may be selectedfrom a set of video formats including: H.261, H.263, H.264, M-PEG,MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVI, Ogg, Theora, VC-1 as well as derivatives andcombinations these types. In another implementation, the primary formatand secondary format for sound multimedia data may be selected from aset of sound formats including: wav, ogg, mpc, flac, TTA, aiff, raw, au,gsm, dct, vox, mmf, mp3, aac, mp4, wma, atrac, ra, rm, ram, dss, msv,dvf, IVS, iklax, mxp4, 3gp, amr, and awb as well as derivatives andcombinations these types. In yet another implementation, the primaryformat and secondary format for image multimedia data may be selectedfrom a set of image formats including: JPEG/JFIF, JPEG 2000, Exif. TIFF,RAW, PNG, GIF, BMP, PPM, PGM, PBM, PNM, WEBP, CGM, SVG, PNS, JPS, andMPO as well as derivatives and combinations these types.

An alternate implementation of multimedia communication server 102 mayseparate the different functions used in implementing aspects of thepresent invention onto different computers within a cluster 700 ofcomputers as illustrated in FIG. 7. A cluster of computersadvantageously improves scalability through better overall utilizationof resources and increases reliability as it is less likely for multiplecomputers to fail simultaneously. For example, separate computer serversin cluster 700 may each be configured to execute MultimediaCommunication Client Module 618, Multimedia Processing Module 620. TextMessaging Module 622, Mobile Device Registration Module 622, MultimediaTranscoding Module 624 and Storage Systems 702 for storing multimediadata in one or more formats. Instead of separate computer servers,cluster 700 may be implemented using virtualization technology to createseparate virtualized computer servers for each different function inaccordance with the present invention. In either implementation, thedifferent computer servers in cluster 700 in FIG. 7 function in asimilar manner as the aforementioned corresponding modules described inconjunction with and illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system 800 used in another implementationfor performing the apparatus or methods of the present invention. System800 includes a memory 802 to hold executing programs (typically randomaccess memory (RAM) or writable read-only memory (ROM) such as a flashROM), a multiport storage interface 804, a processor 806 for executinginstructions, a program memory 808 for holding drivers or otherfrequently used programs, a network communication port 810 for datacommunication, a secondary storage 812 with secondary storage controllerfor backup/high-availability, and input/output (I/O) ports 814 with I/Ocontroller operatively coupled together over an interconnect 826. Inaddition to implementing the present invention using a conventionalpersonal computer or server, system 800 can be preprogrammed, forexample, using field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology, ROM orit can be programmed (and reprogrammed) by loading a program fromanother source (for example, from a floppy disk, a CD-ROM or othercomputer-program product with executable instructions or anothercomputer). Also, system 800 can be implemented using customizedapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

Phone number normalization and synchronization module 818 normalizes theformat of different phone numbers in a phone directory on the phonedevice to a predetermined standard. Implementations of the presentinvention process each phone number and considers how they should bemodified and/or formatted. The normalized phone numbers preferablyconform to an international telephone number (ITN) standard andincorporate a country code and other information to identify the ITN ona uniform basis.

The normalized phone numbers are used to synchronize the phone directoryof phone numbers with registered phone numbers on the syntheticcommunication network of the present invention. If a phone number in thedirectory is also registered on the synthetic communication network thenit is added or synchronized with entries in the synthetic communicationclient running on the phone device. This synchronization continues asnew phone numbers are added to the phone directory and normalized phonenumbers are added to the synthetic communication network.

Message processing and routing module 820 ensures messages from onephone device pass to another phone device in accordance with aspects ofthe present invention. The messages on the synthetic communicationnetwork use the normalized phone numbers to identify phone devices withparticularity. Once identified, the routing module creates a networkconnection between the phone devices using a protocol such as TCP/IP.This message processing and routing module 820 generally passes textmessages between phone devices registered on the synthetic communicationnetwork according to their previously verified and normalized phonenumbers. In some implementations, messages processed by routing module820 may operate in a compatibility mode and thus transmit one or moregroups of 140 text characters. Alternatively, message processing androuting module 820 may indeed transmit a variable length of charactersunlimited by the 140 characters of legacy SMS communication but insteaddependent upon the length of the message being transmitted andcapacities of the phone device sending or receiving the message.

While examples and implementations have been described, they should notserve to limit any aspect of the present invention. Accordingly,implementations of the invention can be implemented in digitalelectronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or incombinations of them. Implementations of the invention may furtherinclude a computer program product, comprising a machine usable mediumhaving computer readable program code tangibly embodied therein. Thecomputer readable program code in the computer program product performsimplementations of the invention when executed by a programmableprocessor.

Aspects of the invention can be implemented advantageously in one ormore computer programs that are executable on a programmable systemincluding at least one programmable processor coupled to receive dataand instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a datastorage system, at least one input device, and at least one outputdevice. Each computer program can be implemented in a high levelprocedural or object oriented programming language, or in assembly ormachine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be acompiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way ofexample, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memoryand/or a random a memory. Generally, a computer will include one or moremass storage devices or storing data files; such devices includemagnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magnetooptical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangiblyembodying computer program instructions and data include all forms ofnon-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic diskssuch as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto optical disks;and CD ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, ASICs.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. In some implementations,multimedia data is described as being formatted according to one formator another format yet may also be organized according to a “container”type instead. Containers of data compatible with one container type maybe converted from one container type to another container type. In someimplementations, the “container” or “container file” may contain asingle data type such as audio (e.g., AIFF, WAVE, XMF, or MP3), video,or multiple related data types concerning combinations thereof withaudio and video (e.g., 3GP, ASF, AVI, DVR-MS, FLASH video, IFF,QuickTime File Format, MPEG program stream, MP4, and others), while inother implementations the “container file” may further elude subtitles,chapter-information, and meta-data or tags for frames of data or subsetsof the data along with synchronization information required to playbackthe streams of data together. Accordingly, the invention is not limitedto the above-described implementations, but instead is defined by theappended claims in light of their full scope of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: identifying, on atransmitting mobile device, multimedia data formatted in accordance witha primary format to be sent to a receiving mobile device that cannotprocess the multimedia data formatted in the primary format; uploadingthe multimedia data formatted in accordance with the primary format to amultimedia communication server; responsive to uploading the multimediadata, receiving at the transmitting mobile device from the multimediacommunication server a multimedia identifier associated with themultimedia data uploaded to the multimedia communication server; andresponsive to the receipt of the multimedia identifier received from themultimedia communication server, transmitting over a syntheticcommunications network the multimedia identifier received from themultimedia communication server from the transmitting mobile device tothe receiving mobile device, wherein the receiving mobile device isidentified on the synthetic communications network by a normalizedversion of a phone number in a phone directory, the normalized numberoriginally provisioned for the receiving mobile device on a voicenetwork and subsequently normalized to a standard format used forsynchronizing members of and communication over the syntheticcommunications network, and without the forwarded multimedia identifierpassing through the multimedia communication server, the multimediaidentifier to be used by the receiving mobile device to request themultimedia data that is to be transcoded into a secondary format on themultimedia communication server that the receiving mobile device iscapable of processing.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the type ofmultimedia data is selected from a set of multimedia types includingimages, videos, sound and combinations thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein messages facilitate the transmission of the multimedia data fromthe transmitting mobile device.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein themessages are sent over a voice network using a messaging protocolselected from a set of protocols including: SMS, MMS, XMPP and SIMPLE.5. The method of claim 3 wherein the messages are sent over a datanetwork using a messaging protocol selected from a set of protocolsincluding; SMS, MMS, XMPP and SIMPLE.
 6. The method of claim 1 whereinthe primary format and secondary format are selected from a set of videoformats including: H.261, H.263, H.264, M-JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4,Ogg, Theora, VC-1 as well as derivatives and combinations of thesetypes.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the primary format and secondaryformat are associated with an image format selected from a set of imageformats including: JPEG/JFIF, JPEG 2000, Exif, TIFF, RAW, PNG, GIF, BMP,PPM, PGM, PBM, PNM, WEBP, CGM, SVG, PNS, JPS, MPO as well as derivativesand combinations of these types.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein theprimary format and secondary format are associated with an audio formatselected from a set of audio formats including: way, ogg, mpc, flac,TTA, aiff, raw, au, gsm, dct, vox, mmf, mp3, aac, mp4, wma, atrac, ra,rm, ram, dss, msv, dvf, IVS, m4p, iklax, mxp4, 3gp, amr, awb as well asderivatives and combinations of these types.
 9. The method of claim 1wherein the transmitting mobile device and receiving mobile device areselected from a set of mobile devices including: a smartphone, aconventional mobile phone, a tablet computer, a netbook, and asmartbook.
 10. A method, comprising: receiving a request at a multimediacommunication server from a transmitting mobile device on a syntheticcommunications network to upload multimedia data formatted in accordancewith a primary format to the multimedia communication server to be madeavailable by the multimedia communication server for access by one ormore receiving mobile devices on the synthetic communications networkthat are unable to process the multimedia data in the primary format;receiving at the multimedia communication server the multimedia datafrom the transmitting mobile device for storage on the multimediacommunication server to be transcoded from the primary format into oneor more secondary formats compatible with the one or more receivingmobile devices; responsive to receiving the multimedia data at themultimedia communication server, transmitting from the multimediacommunication server to the transmitting mobile device a multimediaidentifier associated with the multimedia data stored in the primaryformat, the transmitted multimedia identifier to be used by the one ormore receiving mobile devices to reference the location of themultimedia data on the multimedia communication server; and transcodingthe multimedia data formatted in the primary format into a secondaryformat selected from the one or more secondary formats that a receivingmobile device, selected from the one or more receiving mobile devices,is able to process, wherein the receiving mobile device is identified onthe synthetic communications network by a normalized version of a phonenumber in a phone directory, the normalized number originallyprovisioned for the receiving mobile device on a voice network andsubsequently normalized to a standard format used for synchronizingmembers of and communication over the synthetic communications network.11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: transmitting themultimedia data transcoded into the secondary format to the receivingmobile device.
 12. The method of claim 10 further comprising; receivinga download confirmation responsive to the transmission of the multimediaidentifier requesting the multimedia data in a secondary format that thereceiving mobile device is able to process.
 13. The method of claim 10wherein transmitting the multimedia identifier further includes sendingan image associated with the multimedia data that at least one of theone or more receiving mobile devices is able to process.
 14. The methodof claim 10 wherein the type of multimedia data is selected from a setof multimedia types including images, videos, sound and combinationsthereof.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the multimedia communicationserver uses messages during the processing of the multimedia data. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein the messages are sent over a voicenetwork using a messaging protocol selected from a set of protocolsincluding: SMS, MMS, XMPP and SIMPLE.
 17. The method of claim 15 whereinthe messages are sent over a data network using a messaging protocolselected from a set of protocols including: SMS, MMS, XMPP and SIMPLE.18. The method of claim 14 wherein the primary format and secondaryformat are selected from a set of video formats including: H.261, H.263,H.264, M-JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Ogg, Theora, VC-1 as well asderivatives and combinations of these types.
 19. The method of claim 14wherein the primary format and secondary format are associated with animage format selected from a set of image formats including: JPEG/JFIF,JPEG 2000, Exif, TIFF, RAW, PNG, GIF, BMP, PPM, PGM, PBM, PNM, WEBP,CGM, SVG, PNS, JPS, MPO as well as derivatives and combinations of thesetypes.
 20. The method of claim 14 wherein the primary format andsecondary format are associated with an audio format selected from a setof audio formats including: way, ogg, mpc, flac, TTA, aiff, raw, au,gsm, dct, vox, mmf, mp3, aac, mp4, wma, atrac, ra, rm, ram, dss, msv,dvf, IVS, m4p, iklax, mxp4, 3gp, amr, awb as well as derivatives andcombinations of these types.
 21. The method of claim 10 wherein thereceiving mobile device is selected from a set of devices having a phonenumber including: a smartphone, a conventional mobile phone, a tabletcomputer, a netbook, and a smartbook.
 22. A method, comprising:receiving over a synthetic communications network at a receiving mobiledevice from a transmitting mobile device, a message containing amultimedia identifier associated with multimedia data stored on amultimedia communication server in a primary format that cannot beprocessed by the receiving mobile device, wherein the received messagehas not been relayed through the multimedia communications server andthe receiving mobile device is identified on the syntheticcommunications network by a normalized version of a phone number in aphone directory, the normalized number originally provisioned for thereceiving mobile device on a voice network, and subsequently normalizedto a standard format used for synchronizing members of and communicationover the synthetic communications network; transmitting a downloadconfirmation responsive to the receipt of the multimedia identifierindicating a secondary format for the multimedia data that the receivingmobile device can process; and receiving data corresponding to themultimedia data transcoded on the multimedia communication server fromthe primary format that the receiving mobile device cannot process intothe secondary format that the receiving mobile device can process. 23.The method of claim 22 wherein the type of multimedia data is selectedfrom a set of multimedia types including images, videos, sound andcombinations thereof.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein messagesfacilitate the receiving of multimedia data on the receiving mobiledevice.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the messages are sent over avoice network using a messaging protocol selected from a set ofprotocols including: SMS, MMS, XMPP and SIMPLE.
 26. The method of claim22 wherein the primary format and secondary format are selected from aset of video formats including: H.261, H.263, H.264, M-JPEG, MPEG-1,MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Ogg, Theora, VC-1 as well as derivatives andcombinations of these types.
 27. The method of claim 22 wherein theprimary format and secondary format are associated with an image formatselected from a set of image formats Including: JPEG/JFIF, JPEG 2000,Exif, TIFF, RAW, PNG, GIF, BMP, PPM, PGM, PBM, PNM, WEBP, CGM, SVG, PNS,JPS, MPO as well as derivatives and combinations of these types.
 28. Themethod of claim 22 wherein the primary format and secondary format areassociated with an audio format selected from a set of audio formatsincluding: way, ogg, mpc, flac, TTA, aiff, raw, au, gsm, dct, vox, mmf,mp3, aac, mp4, wma, atrac, ra, rm, ram, dss, msv, dvf, IVS, m4p, iklax,mxp4, 3gp, amr, awb as well as derivatives and combinations of thesetypes.
 29. The method of claim 22 wherein the receiving mobile device isselected from a set of mobile devices including: a smartphone, aconventional mobile phone, a tablet computer, a netbook, and asmartbook.
 30. A transmitting mobile device, comprising: a processorthat executes instructions; and a memory having instructions whenexecuted on the processor, that cause the transmitting mobile device toidentify multimedia data formatted in accordance with a primary formatthat is to be communicated to a receiving mobile device, upload themultimedia data formatted in accordance with the primary format to amultimedia communication server, receive a multimedia identifierassociated with the multimedia data uploaded to the multimediacommunication server, and transmit over a synthetic communicationsnetwork the received multimedia identifier associated with themultimedia data stored in the primary format to the receiving mobiledevice, wherein the receiving mobile device is identified on thesynthetic communications network by a normalized version of a phonenumber in a phone directory, the normalized number originallyprovisioned for the receiving mobile device on a voice network andsubsequently normalized to a standard format used for synchronizingmembers of and communication over the synthetic communications network,the multimedia identifier to be used by the receiving mobile device toidentify the multimedia data for transcoding into a secondary format onthe multimedia communication server that the receiving mobile device iscapable of processing.
 31. A multimedia communication server,comprising: a processor that executes instructions; and a memory havinginstructions when executed on the processor that enable the multimediacommunication server to receive from a transmitting mobile on asynthetic communications network a request to upload multimedia dataformatted in accordance with a primary format on the multimediacommunication server and made available for access by one or morereceiving mobile devices unable to process the multimedia data in theprimary format, obtain data corresponding to the multimedia data forstorage on the multimedia communication server to be transcoded from theprimary format into one or more secondary formats compatible with theone or more receiving mobile devices, responsive to receipt of themultimedia data, transmit to the transmitting mobile device a multimediaidentifier associated with the multimedia data stored in the primaryformat, receive from the one or more receiving mobile devices thetransmitted multimedia identifier to reference the location of themultimedia data on the multimedia communication server and transcode themultimedia data formatted in the primary format into a secondary formatselected from the one or more secondary formats that a receiving mobiledevice, selected from the one or more receiving mobile devices is ableto process, wherein the selected receiving mobile device is identifiedon the synthetic communications network by a normalized version of aphone number in a phone directory, the normalized number originallyprovisioned for the selected receiving mobile device on a voice networkand subsequently normalized to a standard format used for synchronizingmembers of and communication over the synthetic communications network.32. A method, comprising: receiving, at a multimedia communicationserver, multimedia data from a transmitting mobile device on a syntheticcommunications network, the data to be made available for access by oneor more receiving mobile devices different from the transmitting mobiledevice, wherein each of the one or more receiving mobile devices isidentified on the synthetic communications network by a normalizedversion of a phone numbers in a phone directory, the normalized numbersoriginally provisioned for each of the receiving mobile devices on oneor more voice networks and subsequently normalized to a standard formatused for synchronizing members of and communication over the syntheticcommunications network; storing the received multimedia data on themultimedia communication server; responsive to receiving, at themultimedia communication server, the multimedia data from a transmittingmobile device, transmitting a multimedia identifier from the multimediacommunication server to the transmitting mobile device, the multimediaidentifier associated with the storage location of the receivedmultimedia data on the multimedia communication server; and upon receiptof the multimedia identifier from one of the one or more receivingmobile devices, transmitting the received multimedia data to thereceiving mobile device.